Easterby backing uncapped players to fill Ireland's gaps

Forwards coach Simon Easterby expects Ireland's fringe players to seize their opportunity in the face of a mounting injury list and cement their place for the 2015 RBS 6 Nations.

Cian Healy and Sean O'Brien are two key cogs who will be missing from next month's autumn internationals while the likes of Gordon D'Arcy, James Cronin, Rob Kearney and Tommy Bowe are all fighting knocks.

But in their absence Joe Schmidt could hand a host of uncapped players their debut, including the New Zealand-born Ulster back Jared Payne.

They could all be thrown into the deep end against South Africa on November 8 - and Easterby is eager for the new recruits to show what they're capable of.

Ireland Women's skipper Niamh Briggs is still relishing her role as skipper in this year's Women's Six Nations, and insists the new blood brought in for the Championship has given her team a new lease of life.

The story of the third round of the Women's Six Nations included one close and cagey encounter - as Ireland edged world champions England - and two decisive victories, with France putting Wales to the sword and Italy outclassing Scotland.